New vets assimilate with Chargers

After throwing routes to him on Saturday and practicing with him Sunday, Philip Rivers feels wide receiver Patrick Crayton will be able to contribute right away.

“He’s seven years in,” Rivers said. “He’s been in the same system. His football awareness, his savvy, is evident.”

Crayton was acquired in trade from the Dallas Cowboys on Friday. He arrived at Chargers Park on Saturday, caught passes from Rivers and then got what he called “a 3½-hour crash course” with receivers coach Charlie Joiner.

“Right now I’m still getting in that book … but its coming along pretty quick,” Crayton said after his first Chargers practice. “… I’m glad we don’t play until Monday night. I think that helps.”

The Chargers also welcomed another veteran to their offense Sunday, signing Adam Terry to be the backup at both offensive tackle positions. They released rookie Ryan Otterson, who could be placed on the practice squad if he is not claimed off waivers by another team. And while they remain high on Tyronne Green, Terry has 18 starts and has played in 48 games.

“We wanted another layer of protection at the position,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “At this point, we have it four deep.”

Before missing all of last season following knee surgery, Terry played a season in former Chargers coordinator Cam Cameron’s offense in Baltimore.

“He picked it up very quickly today,” head coach Norv Turner said. “When you get veteran players who have been in similar systems, it goes a lot quicker.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• Good thing the Chargers kept Jonathan Crompton on the practice squad. Backup quarterback Billy Volek received treatment inside during Sunday’s practice after absorbing a number of hits in Thursday’s preseason finale. He is expected back at practice today or Wednesday.

• Linebacker Shawne Merriman, out since Aug. 17 with an Achilles’ injury, continues to progress, doing more running and change-of-direction work on the side than he had previously. He has had no setbacks and believes he can play against the Chiefs.

• Linebacker Kion Wilson, signed to the practice squad, took reps at fullback too. The Chargers will also have some of the defensive backs on their roster run routes as receivers in practice. Such duality is necessitated by the Chargers keeping just 21 offensive players.